Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Inc., two American outdoor companies with similar humble origins, and with a shared goal to better serve those who love the outdoors, announced Monday that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Bass Pro Shops will acquire Cabela’s for $65.50 per share in cash, representing an aggregate transaction value of approximately $5.5 billion, according to a jointly released press release. The outdoor-recreation retailers are expected to close the deal in the first half of 2017.

John T. “Jack” Syvrud, age 81, of Cottage Grove, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, Sept. 30.

He was born on April 25, 1935, in Monroe, the son of John “Ted” and Margie Syvrud. Jack graduated from Shullsburg High School in 1955. He moved to Madison in 1961, where he worked for Madison Metro for 30 years.

Julie was born on Aug. 4, 1964, at Blue Island, Ill. to Dale and Gayle (Kay) Bruegmann. She was a graduate of Wauzeka High School. She attended UW-La Crosse, Southwest Tech, and Madison Vocational School.

At about 9:35 p.m., the sheriff’s office was notified of a crash near Harville Road, from which several occupants of the vehicle were being transported to the hospital via private vehicle for injuries sustained in the crash.

One man was cited for numerous operating violations after a car versus house crash in Bloomington Sept. 16, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.

At about 7:40 a.m., that Friday, deputies responded to a report of the crash at 525 Canal St. Authorities said, Jacob Johnson, 23, of Bloomington, was traveling southbound on Highway 35/Canal St. in his 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee. He left the roadway while negotiating a curve, hopped the curb, and struck the front porch of a house at that location. After the crash, Johnson fled the scene, according to a sheriff’s office report.

Residents were home at the time of the crash, but were not injured. The house sustained damages to its front porch. Johnson’s vehicle sustained heavy front end damages and was removed from the scene by B&M Towing, of Bloomington.

Louanne Davis, who owns The Pickett Fence along with husband Ken, received the Prairie du Chien Area Chamber of Commerce’s most prestigious and longstanding award during the annual meeting Tuesday night. The C.F. LaPointe Award, named after Fred LaPointe, who was the Chamber’s executive director from 1976 through 1994, is given to an employee of, or an owner of, a Chamber member business who goes above and beyond their normal job-related duties to enrich the Prairie du Chien business community. Louanne and Ken are pictured with Chamber Director and CEO Bob Moses.

The Prairie du Chien Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual meeting and awards presentation Tuesday evening at Lady Luck Casino’s Lone Wolf Bar in Marquette. Over 150 Chamber members and guests attended. Board members, ambassadors, tourism council members and economic development board members were recognized for their contributions toward the business community of Prairie du Chien. Special recognition was given to a number of local businesses that hit milestone years of being in business, while others were honored for going above and beyond for the community. Those businesses were represented by the people pictured (front row, from left): Ross Ritchie, son of Don and Edith Ritchie, Ritchie’s Jewelry Store, 65 years in business; Curt Zinkle, chamber president; Louanne Davis, The Pickett Fence, C.F. LaPointe Award; Bob Moses, chamber director and CEO; Rick Morovits, Cabela’s, 20 years in business; (back row) Rick Powell, Walmart, 30 years in business; Steven Lidberg, Solomon Corporation, New Business of the Year; Mike Valley, Valley Fish and Cheese, President’s Award; Randy Weeks, Design Homes, 50 years in business; Brent Posten, Spahn and Rose Lumber Company, 25 years in business; and Mike Garrity, Garrity Funeral Home, 70 years in business. (Photo by Correne Martin)

Chamber Board President Curt Zinkle (left) presented the 2016 President's Award to Mike Valley of Valley Fish and Cheese for his contributions to both the board and the business community.

The Prairie du Chien Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual meeting and awards banquet at the Lady Luck Casino Lone Wolf Bar in Marquette Tuesday night. Over 150 members and guests attended from the membership of 350.

Chamber Director and CEO Bob Moses emceed the event and shared some information about the organization’s past year.

“Because Prairie du Chien Area Chamber of Commerce members invest in the organization, opportunities such as new programs, services, member referrals, events, networking opportunities, marketing strategies and sponsorships are available as a return investment,” he said.